Recent Coverage
After Charlottesville, Canada’s spy agency expresses ‘concern’ about far-right
By Clothilde Goujard
National Observer | August 22, 2017
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service is expressing concerns about far-right extremism in the wake of a racially motivated protest in Charlottesville, Virginia that turned deadly.
A spokeswoman for the Canadian spy agency made the comments in response to questions from National Observer about reports that some Canadians participated in the Charlottesville protests, alongside neo-Nazis, Ku Klux Klan members and other white supremacist extremists.
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But a national organization that represents ...
Federal appointee to race relations board under scrutiny for writings on Islam
By Stephanie Levitz
The Canadian Press | August 21, 2017
A board member with the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, an arms-length federal government agency with a mandate to combat racial discrimination, is in jeopardy of losing her post over her writings on the controversial website Jihad Watch.
Christine Douglass-Williams has been writing for the site almost since she was appointed to the foundation's board in 2012.
But multiple sources have told The Canadian Press that the government is reviewing that appointment in the wake of an essay that appeared on the ...
Religious groups sound alarms as hate crimes appear to be on the rise
By Sammy Hudes
Toronto Star | August 21, 2017
In one part of the GTA, three schools were plastered with anti-Semitic, anti-Black graffiti. In another, a Muslim woman’s car window smashed, with “derogatory” comments spray-painted on her property.
Hate crimes are nothing new, but religious groups are sounding the alarms as they appear to be on the rise....
Amira Elghawaby, a spokesperson for the National Council of Canadian Muslims, said hate crimes against Muslims across the country show no sign of slowing down.
“Our concern is always quite high. ...
Goodale must investigate racism allegations against CSIS
By Faisal Kutty
Toronto Star | July 30, 2017
By now many people have heard about the $35-million lawsuit against the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) filed earlier this month. The 54-page statement of claim on behalf of five intelligence officers and analysts allege a toxic workplace where some managers and supervisors discriminate against Muslim, Black and gay employees. The pleadings (yet to be tested in court) also accuse the spy agency of Islamophobia, racism and homophobia.
While conceding that there are bad apples in every bunch and that it must ...
Government wants security screening to be culturally sensitive
By Ryan Tumilty
Metro News | July 27, 2017
Transport Canada is looking for input to make sure the pat-downs, wand-overs and full-body scans that have become part of airport travel are also culturally sensitive.
On behalf of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, Transport Canada has a survey online that asks people who wear cultural, religious or medical clothing about their experience with security.
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Amira Elghawaby, communications director with the National Council of Canadian Muslims, said she’s glad to see the government consulting on ...
Mississauga website operator charged with hate crimes
By Stewart Bell
Global News | July 24, 2017
A former Mississauga mayoral candidate whose online posts targeting Muslims have prompted complaints was arrested Monday for “hate-motivated crime,” Peel Regional Police said.
Kevin J. Johnston, 45, was charged with a single count of wilful promotion of hatred following what a statement called “a lengthy investigation into numerous incidents reported to police.”
The Freedom Report website where Johnston posts his radio-host style videos, many of them aimed at the Islamic faith and individual Muslims, remained ...
PM says CSIS will ‘get to the bottom of this issue’ amid shocking harassment claims
By Josh Dehaas
CTV News | July 14, 2017
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to shocking claims about a toxic work environment at Canada’s spy agency on Friday, but stopped short of saying he would order an investigation.
Five employees at the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) allege that a culture of homophobia, racism and anti-Muslim sentiment have caused them health problems and missed promotions.
The employees include a gay man who says supervisors repeatedly referenced his sexuality and ridiculed him for having a Muslim partner, a Muslim ...
NDP calls for investigation into ‘shocking’ allegations of racist, anti-gay and anti-Muslim harassment at Canada’s spy agency
By Michelle Shephard
Toronto Star | July 14, 2017
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale says he is taking seriously allegations that management at Canada’s spy service operates an “old boy’s club” where employees fear reprisal if they speak out against their bosses’ Islamophobic, racist or anti-gay slurs.
Goodale said in a statement that he will ensure CSIS is a workplace “free from harassment,” but did not directly address calls by the NDP and a Muslim civil rights group to order an immediate investigation into the management culture at the Canadian ...
CSIS faces $35-million harassment, discrimination lawsuit
By Jordan Press
The Canadian Press | July 14, 2017
Canada’s spy agency is facing questions about its workplace culture amid allegations that senior officials foster a prejudice and distrust for Muslims employees, who are seen as “essential to CSIS’ mission, but working without CSIS’ trust and respect.”
The allegations are contained in a statement of claim filed Thursday in Federal Court by five employees who are seeking upwards of $35 million in damages for what they say was years of harassment condoned by supervisors.
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The National Council of ...
Here’s why Omar Khadr is getting $10M from the Canadian government
By Maham Abedi
Global News | July 4, 2017
The Canadian government is set to apologize, and give $10.5 million, to Omar Khadr — a Canadian who spent 10 years at the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay.
The deal, revealed to The Canadian Press by an unnamed government official, was reportedly negotiated by Khadr’s lawyers last month.
Toronto-based lawyer, Warda Shazadi Meighen, who is not involved in the case, offered a deeper look into the government’s decision.
“The rule of law was violated,” Meighen told Global News, explaining that Khadr ...